Child Sexual Abuse

‘Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.’

The definition of child sexual abuse in the family environment, includes relationships between the victim and the perpetrator which are mediated by the family or family home. Parents/carers, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins fall within this definition. Some adults who play a less direct role in the family life can also be included, such as neighbours, and family friends, where the familial context of the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator would exacerbate the impact of the abuse on the victim and undermine their ability to access help and support.